The Still DELUXE, 2 to 7.8 Litres is a versatile copper still for alcohol, macerated spirits, hydrosols and essential oils. The unit was designed by us, optimally laid out from a process-engineering perspective and manufactured exclusively for us. It is therefore not a simple standard still but a thoughtfully designed Malle-Schmickl system for various distillation tasks.
Thanks to the interchangeable boiler sizes of 2, 3.8 or 7.8 litres, the Still DELUXE can be flexibly adapted to different quantities and applications. It is suitable for small recipe trials, larger macerated-spirit batches, first distillation, second distillation, as well as for the steam distillation of plant material.
For hydrosols, all three boiler sizes can be used. If essential oil is actually to be obtained, the 7.8-litre boiler is particularly sensible because enough plant material can be filled in there. However, anyone who wishes to produce essential oils or hydrosols regularly and primarily is usually better served with the Still LEONARDO Classic, Still LEONARDO Grande, Still LEONARDO Flexi or Still SUPREMA Duo, since these were developed specifically for plant distillation.
The three boiler sizes at a glance
for small batches and your own recipe trials
for medium quantities and larger macerated-spirit batches
for larger quantities, first distillation and essential oils
What makes the Still DELUXE special
- Developed by us: the unit was designed by Malle-Schmickl and optimally laid out from a process-engineering perspective.
- Manufactured exclusively: the still is manufactured exclusively for us.
- Solid copper: high-quality, robust construction for practical use.
- Interchangeable boiler sizes: 2 litres, 3.8 litres or 7.8 litres, depending on application and quantity.
- Gas burner included: continuously adjustable and suitable for puncture gas cartridges.
- With anti-scorch insert: unfiltered mashes can be processed.
- With aroma basket: for macerated spirits, hydrosols and the steam distillation of plant material.
- Flexible cooling: operation with mains water connection, manual water exchange or circulating pump possible.
Spirit distillation and macerated spirits
The Still DELUXE is suitable for fruit spirits, macerated spirits and aromatic distillates. The supplied anti-scorch insert allows working with unfiltered mash. As a result, more alcohol and aromatic substances from the fruit pulp are retained, which can improve yield and flavour.
For macerated spirits, the aroma basket is filled with herbs, spices or fruit. During distillation, the alcohol vapour absorbs the aromatic substances from the basket. This allows the production of gin, absinthe, ouzo, raki, jenever, raspberry macerated spirit or other aromatic macerated spirits, for example.
Hydrosols and essential oils
The Still DELUXE can also be used for the steam distillation of plant material. The aroma basket ensures that flowers, herbs, seeds, roots or other plant parts are not boiled directly in the water but only come into contact with steam.
For hydrosols, all three boiler sizes are suitable. The appropriate size depends on how much plant material is to be processed. For the extraction of essential oils, the 7.8-litre boiler is the most sensible option, because only there can enough plant material be filled in to actually obtain essential oil.
Which size makes sense for what?
- 2 litres: ideal for testing your own macerated-spirit recipes and for small batches.
- 3.8 litres: suitable for medium quantities and larger macerated-spirit batches.
- 7.8 litres: sensible for larger quantities, first distillation and the extraction of essential oils.
For double distillation, the 7.8-litre boiler can be used for the first distillation and a smaller boiler for the second distillation. The unit can therefore be sensibly expanded or converted as experience grows. You will find matching additions among the Boilers DELUXE.
Cooling and operation
The cooling consists of a spirally bent copper tube and an open copper vessel. If no running water is available, the cooling water can be exchanged manually. Alternatively, the cooling can be connected to a mains water connection or operated with a small circulating pump. The circulating pump is not included in the scope of delivery.
The unit is heated with an adjustable gas burner for puncture gas cartridges. The closure of the boiler is by means of a screw-down lever. A matching sealing ring provides for tightness.
Performance and technical data
- Boiler sizes: 2 litres, 3.8 litres or 7.8 litres
- Heat source: gas burner for 190-g puncture gas cartridges
- Distillation time with the 2-litre boiler: approx. 30 to 45 minutes
- Possible yield with the 7.8-litre boiler: depending on alcohol content, approx. 2 to 6 litres of high-proof distillate
- Material: solid copper
- Dimensions: approx. 29 cm width, 70 cm length, 69 cm height without thermometer
Matching additions
For diluting the distillate to drinking strength, we recommend a matching Measuring Set. In addition, our book “Spirit Distillation as a Hobby” contains many tips, instructions and around 100 recipes for fruit spirits and macerated spirits.
For the production of essential oils and hydrosols, we additionally recommend our book “Producing Essential Oils Yourself”. It contains further information on suitable plants, harvest time, plant parts, processing and applications.
Anyone who would like to start smaller will find a particularly compact alternative in the Distillation Unit PICCOLO.
